Abstract: A method of producing 6-amino-cyclopenta[g]quinazolines, in enantiomerically enriched form, is provided. In particular, the method may be applicable to the synthesis of N—{N-{4-[N-((6S)-2 -hydroxymethyl-4-oxo-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-6H-cyclo-penta[g]quinazolin-6-yl)-N-(prop-2 -ynyl)amino]benzoyl}-L-?-glutamyl}-D-glutamic acid (ONX-0801).

Abstract: A new method for the synthesis of L-Glutamyl-?-D-Glutamic acid and its use in the synthesis of (2R)-((4S)-carboxy-4-(4,N-(((6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-oxo-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta[g]quinazolin-6-yl)-N-(prop-2-ynyl)amino)benzamido)butanamido)pentanedioic acid, 1 are provided. Also provided is an efficient method for the isolation and purification of the trisodium salt of the abovementioned acid, 2, in a form suitable for long term storage and use in a parenteral dosing form.

Abstract: A method of producing 6-amino-cyclopenta[g]quinazolines, in enantiomerically enriched form, is provided. In particular, the method may be applicable to the synthesis of N-{N-{4-[N-((6S)-2-hydroxymethyl-4-oxo-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-6H-cyclo-penta[g]quinazolin-6-yl)-N-(prop-2-ynyl)amino]benzoyl}-L-?-glutamyl}-D-glutamic acid (ONX-0801).

Abstract: Peptide-based compounds including heteroatom-containing, three-membered rings efficiently and selectively inhibit specific activities of N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases. The activities of those Ntn having multiple activities can be differentially inhibited by the compounds described. For example, the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome may be selectively inhibited with the inventive compounds. The peptide-based compounds include at least three peptide units, an epoxide or aziridine, and functionalization at the N-terminus. Among other therapeutic utilities, the peptide-based compounds are expected to display anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to all aspects of a guanine exchange factor (GEF), for example, a Rho-GEF, such as p115 Rho-GEF. A GEF modulates cell signaling pathways, both in in vitro and in vivo, by modulating the activity of a GTPase. By way of illustration, a p115 Rho-GEF, which modulates the activity of a Rho GTPase, is described. However, the present invention relates to other GEFs, especially other Rho-GEFs. The present invention particularly relates to an isolated p115 Rho-GEF polypeptide or fragments of it, a nucleic acid coding for p115 Rho-GEF or fragments of it, and derivatives of the polypeptide and nucleic acid. The invention also relates to methods of using such polypeptides, nucleic acids, or derivatives thereof, e.g., in therapeutics, diagnostics, and as research tools.

Abstract: Adenoviral vectors, including mutant adenoviruses, that have restriction sites in the E3 region, that facilitate its partial or total deletion, or select genes contained therein, and optionally compositions and methods for substituting heterologous gene(s) in the partially or totally deleted E3 region(s), which heterologous gene(s) being operably linked to endogenous adenoviral transcriptional control sequences will exhibit an expression pattern, both in terms of timing and degree of expression, similar to the endogenous adenoviral gene(s) that it replaces, and further optionally including mutations in other parts of the adenoviral genome, including certain E1B or E1A regions, and that have applications for diagnosing or treating disease, preferably disease involving unwanted cell growth, including cancer.

Abstract: Adenoviral mutants are described that have single amino acid mutations in the E1B-55K protein which mutations effect the p53 binding/inactivation and the late functions of the E1B-55K protein in a manner that enhances the efficacy of such viruses for treating cancer when compared to adenoviral mutants that have the E1B-55K region deleted.

Abstract: A new cytosine deaminase gene and protein from Candida kefyr are provided. This protein has increased ability to convert the 5-fluorocytosine prodrug to its toxic form when compared against the E. coli enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated full-length Chp polypeptide, a biologically-active polypeptide fragment thereof, and nucleic acids which code for it. This polypeptide has various activities in regulating cell signaling and signal transduction pathways, including, e.g., a PAK regulatory domain binding activity, a PAK kinase stimulatory activity, a JNK kinase stimulatory activity, a cytoskeletal-reorganizing activity, or a Chp-specific immunogenic activity. The invention relates to all aspects of Chp, or homologs thereof, including assays for modulators, activators, ligands, etc.

Abstract: A new cytosine deaminase gene and protein from Candida kefyr are provided. This protein has increased ability to convert the 5-fluorocytosine prodrug to its toxic form when compared against the E. coli enzyme.

Abstract: Viral vectors and methods of making such vectors are described that preferentially kill neoplastic but not normal cells, the preferred vector being an adenovirus that has the endogenous promoters in the E1A and/or E4 regions substituted with a tumor specific promoter which is preferably E2F responsive.

Abstract: Materials and methods for treating certain cancers are described, preferably cancers that result from the up-regulation of the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, and more preferably chronic myelogenous leukemia, and which cancer is preferably resistant to the inhibition of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, imatinib.

Abstract: A new cytosine deaminase gene and protein from Candida kefyr are provided. This protein has increased ability to convert the 5-fluorocytosine prodrug to its toxic form when compared against the E. coli enzyme.

Abstract: Adenoviral vectors, including mutant adenoviruses, that have restriction sites in the E3 region, that facilitate its partial or total deletion, or select genes contained therein, and optionally compositions and methods for substituting heterologous gene(s) in the partially or totally deleted E3 region(s), which heterologous gene(s) being operably linked to endogenous adenoviral transcriptional control sequences will exhibit an expression pattern, both in terms of timing and degree of expression, similar to the endogenous adenoviral gene(s) that it replaces, and further optionally including mutations in other parts of the adenoviral genome, including certain E1B or E1A regions, and that have applications for diagnosing or treating disease, preferably disease involving unwanted cell growth, including cancer.

Abstract: A new cytosine deaminase gene and protein from Candida kefyr are provided. This protein has increased ability to convert the 5-fluorocytosine prodrug to its toxic form when compared against the E. coli enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to all aspects of a guanine exchange factor (GEF), for example, a Rho-GEF, such as p115 Rho-GEF. A GEF modulates cell signaling pathways, both in in vitro and in vivo, by modulating the activity of a GTPase. By way of illustration, a p115 Rho-GEF, which modulates the activity of a Rho GTPase, is described. However, the present invention relates to other GEFs, especially other Rho-GEFs. The present invention particularly relates to an isolated p115 Rho-GEF polypeptide or fragments of it, a nucleic acid coding for p115 Rho-GEF or fragments of it, and derivatives of the polypeptide and nucleic acid. The invention also relates to methods of using such polypeptides, nucleic acids, or derivatives thereof, e.g., in therapeutics, diagnostics, and as research tools.

Abstract: A new cytosine deaminase gene and protein from Candida kefyr are provided. This protein has increased ability to convert the 5-fluorocytosine prodrug to its toxic form when compared against the E. coli enzyme.

Abstract: Adenoviral vectors, including mutant adenoviruses, that have restriction sites in the E3 region, that facilitate its partial or total deletion, or select genes contained therein, and optionally compositions and methods for substituting heterologous gene(s) in the partially or totally deleted E3 region(s), which heterologous gene(s) being operably linked to endogenous adenoviral transcriptional control sequences will exhibit an expression pattern, both in terms of timing and degree of expression, similar to the endogenous adenoviral gene(s) that it replaces, and further optionally including mutations in other parts of the adenoviral genome, including certain E1B or E1A regions, and that have applications for diagnosing or treating disease, preferably disease involving unwanted cell growth, including cancer.

Abstract: Adenoviral vectors, including mutant adenoviruses, that have restriction sites in the E3 region, that facilitate its partial or total deletion, or select genes contained therein, and optionally compositions and methods for substituting heterologous gene(s) in the partially or totally deleted E3 region(s), which heterologous gene(s) being operably linked to endogenous adenoviral transcriptional control sequences will exhibit an expression pattern, both in terms of timing and degree of expression, similar to the endogenous adenoviral gene(s) that it replaces, and further optionally including mutations in other parts of the adenoviral genome, including certain E1B or E1A regions, and that have applications for diagnosing or treating disease, preferably disease involving unwanted cell growth, including cancer.

Abstract: Viral vectors and methods of making such vectors are described that preferentially kill neoplastic but not normal cells, the preferred vector being an adenovirus that has the endogenous promoters in the E1A and/or E4 regions substituted with a tumor specific promoter which is preferably E2F responsive.